They say they will NEVER perform together again after their last gig, which will be the most emotional night of their lives

The Nolan sisters have shed more than their fair share of tears over the last 30 years or so – but they have remained an unstoppable force.

They’ve experienced the highs and lows of pop fame and lived through cancer battles, bereavements, broken marriages and bitter family feuds.

And it is the latest brush with death for the family that has led to the emotional roller coaster taking one final turn – and anyone in Liverpool on March 14 next year should prepare for a lot of tears.

For the Nolans are taking to the road on a farewell UK tour and that’s the night of their final date.

To the delight of their army of fans, pop’s great survivors Maureen, Linda, Bernie and Coleen have decided they are In The Mood for Dancing... one last time.

But they will NEVER perform together again after their last gig, which will be the most emotional night of their lives.

The sisters were spurred into touring – following 30th anniversary gigs three years ago – by Bernie’s brave battle against breast cancer.

Bernie, 51, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 – like her sisters Anne and Linda before her.

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Family show: The Sisters with parents in 1982

She battled the disease with great courage and was told last year that she is in remission, although she will not get the all-clear for another five years.

“The 2009 tour was so brilliant we hoped we could do it again. But this made us go, ‘sod it – let’s just do it.’ We couldn’t miss our last chance to sing together again.”

The Nolans, who inspired a string of British girl bands, became a global phenomenon after their 1979 hit I’m In The Mood for Dancing topped the charts worldwide.

They sold over 25 million records and were bigger than The Beatles in Japan. And they realised just how much they are still loved when their tour in 2009 sold out.

“I can’t put into words how excited we are about our farewell tour,” says Coleen. “But every night will be tinged with sadness knowing we’re getting nearer the end... the very last time we’ll perform.

“Just thinking about it now I get choked up with emotion and I know all the girls feel the same.

“But it is the right time to bow out. We’ve all got our own careers... and, quite frankly, we’re getting on a bit!”

Linda, 53, admits the plans for this tour have given her strength.

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Global hit: The sisters in their early days

She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2006 – two years after husband Brian was given the devastating news he had skin cancer. He died five years ago last week and, while Linda recovered, she found her life on hold.

She said: “I found it difficult to go back to being a solo performer and I still haven’t done much of that since Brian died.

“But the 2009 tour gave me a reason to get out of bed in the mornings. It’s still really hard but I can get out there and perform if it’s with the girls. They are my support network and we have such a great time.

“There are hundreds of women out there just like us and they come to see us because we know, like they do, that life goes on.”

Older sister Maureen, 58, said: “We are constantly amazed we had such a huge resurgence and were incredibly moved by the reaction we got from fans in 2009.

“It moved us to tears during shows – these fantastic women all there because, as well as enjoying our music and wanting a party, they identify with us too – as survivors.

“It will be very, very sad when we get to the end, but we know the fans will be crying with us. We’ll be doing a lot of reminiscing with screens playing old footage and pictures ... showing those terrible 70s outfits.

“There were so many highlights – touring with Frank Sinatra in 1975, our first Top of the Pops, being the first European group to win the Tokyo music festival in 1980.”

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Emotional: Bernie in 2010 during her chemo

Coleen, who joined her elder sisters in the band in 1980, said: “I always loved touring because of the camaraderie . . . you, the band and the crew on the tour bus.

“We’d just laugh so much. We don’t have the stamina that we used to though. In the good old days we would do the show then stay up all night in the hotel bar drinking.

“In 2009 we’d be up for an hour before one said, ‘I’m knackered’ and we’d head to bed.”

Bernie adds: “Yes, we can’t go on forever. This really has to be our final tour – because our hips won’t stand any more!

“We want The Nolans to go out on a high when we can still make it a real send off and thank our fans for caring all these years.”

Bernie, who was always considered the “wild Nolan” in their heyday and has admitted to sinking a bottle of vodka in one session, says: “Oh, there were definitely some wild times... but I’m not telling you about that now. I’ve got a 13-year-old daughter.

“There was a lot of drinking. I have to admit I was a heavy drinker at one time.

“I would be up until 5 or 6am and we’d be leaving at 9 for the next venue. If there was no-one else, I’d sit and talk to the night porter. I’m still a night person but I take it easier now.”

Many fans will be taking their children and grandchildren.

Bernie adds: “We still recognise a lot of our regulars from the old days but, thankfully, not all of them.

“One fan thought he was telepathic. And once he said we’d ‘told’ him to come to our house and he turned up.

“Another time he said he was going to bomb the theatre and the police turned up with dogs to search for it.

“Then they went into the foyer when the fans were queuing up and asked is Mr So-and-so here? – and he put his hand up, so they arrested him!”

The Nolan’s last tour was overshadowed by a row with elder sisters Anne, 61, and Denise, 60, who felt excluded.

Bernie tried to heal the rift, but the six Nolans are still not all speaking.

Linda says: “Things are still the same in that Maureen and Bernie speak to Anne and Denise, which is fine. But Coleen and I still feel the same.

“But everyone has moved on and we all wish each other well – there isn’t as much animosity as last time.”

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Close bond: Bernie and daughter Erin

Coleen adds: “When we’re together, we slot into the roles we had all those years ago. I’m the baby of the group again, at 47.

"Linda and Bernie are the gobby ones. And Maureen is still the peacemaker.

“We’ve all been through tough times, but we’ve always been there for each other. Our fans have been there for us too.

“This is our last chance to give them all a night to remember – to share our goodbyes.”

* Tickets for The Nolans 2013 In The Mood For Dancing... ONE LAST TIME farewell tour go on sale on Friday, September 28 at www.ticketline.co.uk Tour starts February 15, 2013 in Nottingham, www.nolansisters.com